Ancient Egypt Test Study Guide AnswersFriday, November 30th

Vocabulary• Cataracts – rushing rapids along the Nile River-white-water

rapids• Delta – a triangle shaped area of land made from soil

deposited from a river• Pharaoh – the title used by the pharaohs of Egypt-believed to

be part god and part human• Dynasty – a series of rulers from the same family

Vocabulary• Afterlife – life after death, much of Egyptian religion focused

on the afterlife• Mummies – a specially treated body wrapped in cloth for

preservation• Sarcophagus – a case which contained the preserved mummy-

like a casket today• Ka – Ancient Egyptians believed that ka was a person’s life

force-the ka had all the same needs that the person had when she or he was living (much like a spirit)

Vocabulary• Pyramid – huge triangular tomb build by the Egyptians and

other peoples• Hieroglyphics –the ancient Egyptian writing system that used

picture symbols• Papyrus – long-lasting paper like material made from reeds

that the ancient Egyptians used to write on

People to Know:• Menes - Legendary Egyptian ruler, he unified the kingdoms of

Upper and Lower Egypt and built the new capital city of Memphis• King Tutankhamen – Egyptian pharaoh, he died while still a young

king. The discovery of his tomb (Valley of the Kings) in 1922 has taught archaeologists much about Egyptian culture.

Short Answer Questions• 1. A pharaoh was considered to ½ King and ½ God

• 2. Ancient Egypt is split into 3 periods known as the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.

• Who did people blame if the crops did not grow? The Pharaoh

Short Answers• 1. Why was Egypt called the gift of the Nile?• Because it gave life to the desert due to flooding—fertile soil.• 2. Why was Egypt a hard place to attack?• Cataracts-strong rapids throughout the Nile made it hard to

invade; desert to the east and west made it hard to invade (Western and Eastern Desert); the seas to the north (Mediterranean). All created natural barriers making Egypt hard to invade.

Short Answers• 3. How was society structured in the Old Kingdom? (draw the

pyramid)• A. Pharaoh-ruled Egypt as a god/king• B. Nobles-officials and priests helped run the government and

temples (usually related to pharaoh)• C. Scribes and Craftspeople-scribes wrote and craftspeople

produced goods• D. Farmers, Servants and Slaves-Most Egyptians were farmers

(80%) Below them were servants and slaves

Short Answers• 4. Why did Egyptians mummify their dead? • To prepare their body for the afterlife-Egyptians believed that

if the body wasn’t mummified, their soul would not be able to recognize their body and spend eternity searching for it (thus missing their afterlife)

• 5. Describe (with at least two details) the general religious beliefs of ancient Egypt

• Polytheistic (explain)• Focus on the afterlife (explain)• Burial practices –mummification and preparation for the

afterlife

Short Answers

• 6. Name three primary sources we have in 2014 from ancient Egypt. Also, what can we learn from each? • Answers will vary, make sure you explain them with

detail and HOW you know you can learn those specific things from these primary sources…• Mummies, pyramids, jewelry, furniture, temples, the

Rosetta Stone, hieroglyphics

• 7. Compare and Contrast Egypt and Mesopotamia.